By: Avideh Yaghmai Samardar

Thanks to a collaboration between Menlo Park Senior Center and the Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID), an emergency preparedness event for seniors and individuals with disabilities was held at Menlo Park Senior Center on Tuesday, June 6. The main purpose of the event was to educate this segment of the population on the simple steps they can take to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies. Experts from the emergency field handed out printed materials and brochures. Menlo Fire, the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Red Cross who were among the many presenters and provided a wealth of information for the participants to get started with their emergency planning. The afternoon consisted of educational presentations, which included earthquake preparedness, fire prevention and evacuation, emergency supplies, and an opportunity to register to receive alert messages. To build excitement around the topic, many large and small Emergency Supplies Red Cross backpacks were raffled off to the participants. This was the first such event held at the Center to benefit the community and close to 100 attended. Carmen Warmsley, one of the seniors, provided translation. More information can be found on CID’s website.